Create
a farm house, churn your own butter or stuff a few farm animals for the
classroom bulletin board. Enhance farm themes and curriculums with these
activites that involve pre-school and kindergarten children in active learning
experiences.

Click the Rainbow
for The Rainbow Resource RoomClick the Schoolhouse
for Activity Central

Preschool
Farm Theme Activities

Easter
LambsCristina S-M. offers this activity saying,
"I used this in our Sunday School class, but if you alter it you can make
a wonderful discussion about farm animals."

Materials: White, brown or black yarn, card
stock cut out in small gord/ pear shapes (this will be the lambs body).
Also clothespins, a black marker to mark the nose and eyes, pre-cut ears
and a tail out of construction paper and glue.

Description: Pass out the pre-cut lambs shapes
and enough yarn to cover the body. You may want to glue the end of a
strand of yarn to the body ahead of time so the children have somewhere
to get started. The children will wrap the yarn around the body until
you can't see the paper, with the exception of the nose and eyes.
Next, children will glue on ears and tails. They will put on the
clothespins for legs, two per lamb.

Comments: If children have a hard time with
one long string, several small strings may be used, glueing the ends or
teacher may knot the ends as well.

"Milk
the Cow"Ariane M. offers
this activity to help children experience how to milk a cow.

Materials: 1 latex glove for every two children
and about 1/4 of a cup of milk.

Description: When I did the activity
I had the children put pour the milk in the latex glove and I put small
holes at the tips of the finger part and had the children
start from the top of the finger part and squeeze down or as I said, "Milk
the Cow".

Description: Put paint into trays. Children
now roll corncobs in the paintand then onto the paper to make designs.
The corncobs can also be used as a paint brush.

Feathered
Friends While studying farm animals Shauna
R. helps preschool children make a feathered animal that you see on
a farm.

Materials: Gold and orange yarn, and
brown rice.

Description: Teachers pre cut a duck
for all of your children. Then give each child a handful of gold and orange
yarn cut into small pieces. The gold yarn is used for the beak of the duck.
Then you use the orange yarn for the feet. The children then spread glue
over the rest of the ducks body, pouring rice over the glue. Pour enough
to make a thick coat. Dump the excess rice and BAM you have a feathered
friend.

Comments: I did the activity with my 3 and
4 year olds and they loved using the rice to make a animal. A lot of them
only thought of rice as a deliciousmeal item.

Chicken
Eggs: Outside and Inside This pre-k & kindergarten
activity by Sharon Y. can also be used during a multicultural theme.

Materials: White, brown
and any other color eggs.

Description: Children
will look at the outside of white and brown eggs (also green if available).
Compare what is the same and what is different. Crack the eggs in separate
containers and see how they are the same. Children of different colors
look different on the outside, but are the same inside.

Science
Project: Incubating and Hatching EggsMae-Lena H.
shares this week long science project for preschool and kindergarten children
saying, "The children will predict when eggs will hatch, as well as how
many will and how many won't. They observe the eggs throughout the process
and then watch as the eggs hatch and chicks are born."

Description: To make
the incubator get one large cardboard box, and put in a slightly smaller cardboard
box. Cut a hole in the top to add light. We used a spot light and then
screwed it in place. I also added small hand towels in the bottom to cushion
the eggs.

Cover the front with
cardboard, cutting a rectangle in this piece so that children can see.
To cover the rectangle use a sheet protector. This was excellent to use
because it was clear and the children were able to observe the eggs. Try
lights with the wattages to make sure you have the correct temperature.
It should be 96 to 98 degrees. Have the incubator on two or three days
prior to adding the eggs to make sure the temperature is correct. Then add
eggs (we were able to get eight eggs from the hatchery). Add a coffee cup
with warm water to the incubator to provide humidity.

We planned for the
eggs to hatch one week from introducing activity to children so that they
would have time to observe, and anticipate when the eggs would hatch. While
waiting for eggs to hatch, make a brooder box by using the same type of
light for the incubator (ours had a clamp, so we just clamped it to the
side of the box). The temperature should be about the same for the brooder
box as incubator. The box can be any size, just make sure it's large enough
so that chicks can't jump out because they will try. When the chicks begin
to hatch, wait until they are completely dry before moving them to the
brooder box.

Use lids from jars
for water and food. For food you can use grits or cornmeal. Keep chicks
in class long enough for children to see and watch their behavior.I had so many questions
about why the chicks behaved the way they did. I also made a chart with
questions such as when did the children think that the eggs would hatch,
how many of the eggs would, how many wouldn't, and if they all would hatch?
An egg book can also be made for children by letting them draw what they
think the chicks will look like, and combining the classes drawings
into a book.

Comments: The reason
I chose for the eggs to hatch in about a week was that I wanted children
to have an understanding that things don't always happen when we want them
to. My children were very interested and stayed interested in this activity
throughout the process. I did run into a problem though, all of the eggs
hatched overnight except for one. And then that one hatched that afternoon
when most of the children were already gone. So only a few children actually
saw the eggs hatch.

It's
Harvest Time!Robyn suggests
this Farm activity which is especially suitable for the Fall season.Group DiscussionFall is the time where
the fruits and vegetables that have been growing since spring are ready
to be picked or "harvested". The farmers need to harvest all the
vegetables and pick all the fruits before it gets too cold.

Dramatic
Play: "Down on then Farm" Materials: One bandana
or scarf per child Wheelbarrow
or wagon Assorted real
or plastic fruits and vegetables

You can do this activity
outside if weather permits. Tie a bandanna or scarf around each child's
neck and have them pretend to be farmers. Lay the fruits and vegetables
around the room or around the yard and pretend to harvest all the food
and put them in a wagon or wheelbarrow. Let each child take a turn filling
up the wheelbarrow.

Farm
MuralPromote preschool
learning about farm animals and what a farm may look like with this early
childhood project by Wendy H.

Materials: Large sheets
of newsprint paper, red and green paint, easel and paint brushes. Later
you will need pink, brown, black, yellow, and white paint, large newsprint
paper, easels, and paint brushes.

Description: The children
in the class make a farm to hang on the wall. During center time
I ask volunteers (children) to paint whole sheets of paper red or green.
Then we let them hang and dry. When they are dry I have the children
help me tape them to the wall red in the shape of a barn and green as a
pasture. Then after reading a farm book. We discuss animals
on the farm.

Then at center time
again I ask volunteers (children) to paint at the easel and make pigs,
cows, horses, and any other farm animal they may wish, but it has to be
a farm animal. Once they are dry I, or the children, cut them out
to paste onto the farm on the wall. We usually do this early in our
farm unit to use it for references. The children and parents love
to see the children's group project. I make sure that each child
does at least one painting to put on the mural.Comments: Sometimes
after our visit to the farm the children want to add onto it and I allow
them to. It takes time to do but is well worth it.

Story
Time Plus MovementPreschool and kindergarten children act
out a farm story during this dramatic activity by Bev J.

Materials: Book, Who Took The Farmer's
Hat? by Joan L. Nodset

Description: I read to the children, Who
Took The Farmer's Hat? by Joan L. Nodset. After we read the story,
I take out a straw hat and I hide it. The child who finds the hat
gets to hide it next until everyone has had a turn.

Comments: I schedule this activity in the
fall but you could use it anytime. The kids love it!

Literacy:
"Mr. Gumpy's Outing"Introduce farm animals to preschool children
with this flannelboard activity by Connie.

Materials: Book, Mr. Gumpy's Outing.

Description: Make a flannelboard story using
the farm animals in the story. Give a flannel animal to each child in the
class. As you read the story, have each child bring up the flannel
animal as you read about it in the story. The children can learn animal
sounds and color recognition. Then at the end of the story they can count
how many animals were in the boat with Mr. Gumpy.

Farmer
Brown's SongEven toddlers can name all kinds of farm
animals and create the sounds that animals make in this fun song by Betty
D.

Farmer
Brown Song(sung to the tune
of Aiken Drum)There was a man lived on a farm, on a farm,
on a farm.There was a man lived on a farm, His name was Farmer Brown.And on that farm he had a "cow", had a "cow",
had a "cow".And on that farm he had a "cow" and that
"cow" said "MOOOOOOOO"

Comments: Use different farm animals. This is
a fun song to do when gathering your kids up for circle time. Mine love
it!

Milk
CowsChildren use fine motor skills as they learn
about farms and milk products during this early childhood activity by Michal.

Materials: Large Cow: Ours are large
wooden stand ups, but I'm sure butcher paper or something else creative
would work. It must have a hole where the "udder" will go. Latex
glove, safety pin,milk bucket, milk: we mix dry for this and
a clothespin.

Description: Teachers take the latex glove
and fill it with milk. Put tiny holes in the end of each finger using
a safety pin or something similar. The milk should not come out on
it's own. Twist the wrist of the glove and slip it through the udder
hole of the cow. Clip behind the cow with a clothespin to hold the
glove in place. Now, place the bucket underneath. Then let the kids
"milk" the cow by squeezing the fingers of the glove. With a certain
technique, a tiny stream of milk should come out!

Comments: It takes a lot of set up but kids
love it and it fits well in a Farm Theme.

Milking
CowsWendy U. offers a variation on the
above activity.

Materials: Gateway boxes, latex gloves, water,
flour, tape and a pin

Description: I filled latex gloves
with water and a little bit of flour. I then poked small holes at the end
of each finger with a pin. I taped the gloves on the bottom of Gateway
boxes (white with black spots). The children took a pail and squeezed the "utters" to
get some milk. They loved the activity!

Description: Fill the plastic jar or baby
food jar 1/3 to 1/2 full of whipping cream. Shake until a ball of
butter appears! Children can take turns shaking. Next, spread on crackers
and enjoy!

Comments: Sometimes it takes a long time
for the butter to form, especially on hot days. Depending
on the size and age of your group you can either give each child a jar
or make a few jars and pass them around the circle while singing a
song or reading a story. Everyone loves the snack at the end!

Making
Butter SongMarty K. shares this song along with
many helpful comments.

To the
tune of "A-Hunting We Will Go"A-churning we will go,A-churning we will go,We'll pour the cream and shake it up,A-churning we will go!

Comments: Show a picture of a butter churn or
have one for the children to see and discuss it's function. Discuss
what happens as the cream starts to separate. Make a chart of words
to describe the process. You could also take pictures with a camera
and then sequence the real photos. send the butter home with the
children, use it for a snack or save it for the "celebration". Compare
homemade butter to the kind we buy at the grocery store to build language
skills.

Farm
HousePre-k youngsters design and create their
own farm houses during this craft activity by Tiffany S.

Materials: Popsicle sticks, water paint,
glue and a empty small shoe box. Cut the shape of a door into the box.

Description: First take the sticks and water
paint (children can choose any color) and color them. Let them dry.
Then get your box and the now colored sticks and glue them around the shape
of the box and the top. After the box is covered use the rest of your sticks
to make a two sided triangle that is added to the open end top of the box.

Bulletin
Board Idea: "Oatmeal Farm Animals"Children learn about farm animals and experiment
with texture during this early childhood lesson by Jane P.

Description: Teachers may have the children
cut out or teachers may cut for them, sheep patterns from either black
or white construction paper. I use black, it has better contrast. Then
have the children spread the glue onto the sheep cut out. You may wish
to water the glue down and have the children use paint brushes to spread the glue. Then give each child a cup
of raw oatmeal and have them sprinkle the oatmeal over the wet glue. Now,
let dry and take home or post on the bulletin board.

Comments: This project is great for use with
a Farm Animals Theme but can be used for nursery rhymes as well.

Stuffed
PigPre-k and kindergarten children use fine
motor and creative skills in this preschool activity by Cheryll B.

Description: To go along with a farm
theme, we decided to make a large animal to hang form the ceiling. The
children voted on what farm animal to make. They chose a pig. I drew a
huge pig on paper that I folded in half so there would be 2 sides. It was
about the size of a long table. The children painted the pig with different
shades of peach and pink paint. When dry, I cut out the two pig shapes and stapled them together leaving
the tummy open to allow for stuffing.

Next the children wadded up pieces of newsprint
and carefully pushed it inside. When the pig had a little stuffing
in it I stapled the bottom and we hung the pig. I then read the book HAMILTON

Bulletin
Board Idea: "Stuffed Farm Animals"Provide children with an opportunity to
create their very own favorite farm animal after learning
about the Farm with this art lesson plan by Laura G.

Materials: Large white paper (butcher paper
works the best), crayons or markers, scissors, newspaper sheets for stuffing,
and staplers.

Description: First teachers pre trace or
draw a variety of farm animals onto the white paper so that the children
will have a variety of animals to choose from. Make sure that the animals
are fairly large enough so that the children can stuff them with newspaper.
Have each child tell you what their favorite farm animal is and then have the child find that
farm animal on the white paper.

After each child has selected their farm
animal to stuff and decorate, explain to the children that they get to
make their very own farm animal to take home with them. Follow these simple
steps to create adorable farm animals:

1. Ask the children to cut out the farm animals.
The animals need to be traced or drawn so that there is a front AND a back
to cut out.

2. Have the children color and decorate the
animals with either markers or crayons.

3. The children are then given enough newspaper
sheets to wad up and stuff their animal. Have the children begin wadding
up the newspaper to prepare for stuffing.

4. Teachers go around the room and assist
each child in stapling their animal 1/2 way around. Do
not staple all the way around, allow room for stuffing!

5. Each child then stuffs his or her animal
with the newspaper until it looks full and puffy.

6. Assist each child in stapling the remainder
of their animal shut.

7. Let the children share their animal with
their friends and then have them take them home to show the parents.Or you
could display them in your classroom with a barn or farm theme bulletin
board!

Comments: This was so much fun! The children
loved creating their own farm animal and especially loved going around
the room making their farm animal noise and sharing it with the other children!

E-mail
Gayle to
include your favorite Farm pre-school activityin this theme!Click the Rainbow
for The Rainbow Resource RoomClick
the Schoolhouse for Activity Central